Schackenborg Castle has held a special place in the life of the royal family for decades. For Prince Joachim and Princess Marie, the castle is not just a historic site, but the family’s second home – a sanctuary filled with memories, friendships, and connections across generations.
The Royal family
The Royal Family
A home with deep roots
The gift to Prince Joachim
A legacy with historical roots.
The connection between Schackenborg and the Royal House dates back centuries – even before Schackenborg existed. At that time, the area around the former Møgeltønderhus was a royal fief, and the bond between the Schack family and the Royal House has endured for generations.
It was no coincidence that Schackenborg returned to the Royal House. The last Schack at Schackenborg, Count Hans Schack VI and his wife, Countess Karin, had no children and decided to transfer the castle and its estates to Prince Joachim. This decision was formalized in 1978, when Prince Joachim was just nine years old.
From childhood, Prince Joachim spent much of his time at Schackenborg, learning the castle’s rooms, nooks, lands, and stories – knowledge that has since become central to sharing the history of the place.
A living responsibility
In 1993, Prince Joachim became a permanent resident of Schackenborg. Prior to this, he had trained as a farmer and agricultural economist, preparing him to take over, manage, and further develop the estate’s agricultural operations.
With great energy and creativity, the prince initiated a series of innovative projects, including De Fem Gaarde (The Five Farms), meat production, high-quality crop cultivation, and Christmas tree farming. These projects honored the estate’s history while looking toward the future.
A thoughtful restoration
Though Schackenborg is a cultural and historical gem, time had taken its toll, necessitating extensive maintenance. In connection with the marriage of Prince Joachim and Princess Alexandra in 1995, the couple received a public gift earmarked for a comprehensive restoration of Schackenborg Castle, particularly its exterior.
The first major project was inspired by a historical illustration from around 1760, depicting the estate with two perpendicular axes in a Baroque design. The restoration made this vision visible once more, including work on the park, the south bridge by the gatehouse, and a new bridge on the eastern access road.
The castle’s façades, roofs, chimneys, dormers, and the old gatehouse also underwent extensive restoration – all carried out with respect for the building’s original expression and history.
Today, the castle’s south wing serves as the royal family’s private residence. Visitors to Schackenborg can still experience the castle as a living home.
Photo: Steen Brogaard – Kongehuset
The Royal Family
The castle lives on through the family
Prince Joachim spent much of his childhood at Schackenborg Castle and lived there as an adult for 21 years. His deep knowledge of and passion for the castle’s history, portraits, and treasures have greatly enriched the information shared during tours and events.
Schackenborg holds a special place in the prince’s heart, and its story is closely intertwined with his own.
In 2014, Prince Joachim and Princess Marie moved with their children to Copenhagen and later to Paris, where Prince Joachim completed France’s highest military education. The couple was subsequently attached to the Danish Embassy in Paris as defence attaché and special envoy for culture.
On September 1, 2023, Prince Joachim assumed a position in the Danish Ministry of Defence as a defence industry attaché at the Danish Embassy in Washington, D.C., where he now represents Denmark in relations with the USA and Canada.
Despite life abroad, Schackenborg remains the family’s second home. Both the prince and princess and their children often return to Møgeltønder, where the estate serves as an anchor filled with memories, relationships, and warmth.
The children's birth trees
Living Symbols of a Close Bond
In the beautiful castle gardens of Schackenborg stand four very special trees – one for each of Prince Joachim’s children. Planted on their birthdays, these trees serve as living symbols of time, life, and family ties.
Since births are rarely planned, the prince carefully selected the type and location of each tree in advance, ensuring everything was ready when the day arrived:
- Prince Nikolai’s tree is a copper beech, planted on August 28, 1999
- Prince Felix’s tree is a tulip tree, planted on July 22, 2002
- Prince Henrik’s tree is an acacia, planted on May 4, 2009
- Princess Athena’s tree is a Canadian maple, planted on January 24, 2012
Today, these trees stand as a beautiful part of the castle gardens, naturally woven into the living story of modern Schackenborg.
Create joy with a gift card
The perfect gift is a gift card for Schackenborg Castle and Slotskro. Then the recipient can put together their own special stay with gastronomic experiences and activities in beautiful Møgeltønder.